Match strip cigarette package wrapper



May 16, 1944. H WARP 2,349,217

MATCH STRIP CIGARETTE PACKAGE WRAP-"ER` Filed 001'.. 5. 1940 l l l 1 l INV ENTOR.

Patented May 16, 1944 MATCH STRIP CIGARETTE PACKAGE WRAPPER Harold Warp, Chicago, Ill. Application October 5, 194i), Serial No. 359,822

Claims.

The invention relates generally to a combined match strip and package wrapper, and particularly to a match strip adapted as a Wrapper for a package of cigarettes.

It is a loss of time and a distinct source of vannoyance for a user of cigarettes after he has rst withdrawn his packageof cigarettes to be compelled to search his pockets for a lighter or a package of matches. To obviate the necessity of that annoying step numerous attempts have been made to combine matches directly with a cigarette package. Such attempts have, however, not met with success because the number of matches supplied was inadequate, because the manner of attaching the matches did not meet with the approval oi the public, or because manufacturing costs were prohibitive.

It is a primary object of the invention to combine matches and a package of cigarettes in a new, improved and unique manner.

More particularly, it is'an object to provide an unusually large number of matches; to apply them to the package of cigarettes in such manner that they are readily accessible yet do not form any inconvenient or unsightly appendage; and to provide a construction which is cheap and capable of economical production.

Another object is to provide a strip of matches of such character and construction that it may either be substituted for the conventional wr'apper and itself form the primary wrapper, or it may merely be applied over the normal wrapping of a package of cigarettes.

Still another object is to perfect a construction of the character described wherein the matches to be combined with the package of cigarettes may be manufactured as a continuous strip and later cut to the desired wrapper size with substantially no loss of material.

A further object is to provide a wrapper having a width equal to the height of a package of cigarettes and a length slightly greater than the circumference of a package of cigarettes and having one longitudinal edge composed of matches.

Yet another object is to provide a wrapper having a width equal to the height of a package of cigarettes and a length slightly greater than the circumference of a package of cigarettes and having one longitudinal edge composed of matches Whose stems are formed directly from the Wrapper.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of Wrapper applied to a package of cigarettes to constitute the main or normal Wrapping thereof.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately alongthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

f hesive applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a development of the wrapper of Fig. 1 showing how the same is formed as a continuous strip. a

Fig. 4 shows a modied form of wrapper applied over a conventionally wrapped package of cigarettes.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, it is here shown and will hereinafter be described in a preferred embodiment and one modication. It is not intended, however, that the invention is to be limited to the specific constructions shown. On the contrary it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Though a Wrapper constructed in accordance with this invention may be employed to encase a variety of products, its primary utility is found in connection with cigarettes and hence it will hereinafter berdescribed in that environment, but for exemplary purposes only. In the preferred form, shown in Figs. l1 to 3, the wrapper is adapted to encase ve-sixths of a package of cigarettes, that is, it is adapted to cover all four sides and also the bottom end. YThe wrapper is composed of paper which preferably is slightly heavier than the ordinary cigarette package wrapping but is not a cardboard. This paper may even be treated soia-s to be thoroughly impregnated with a wax or paraffin composition. Such impregnation has the dual advantage of rendering the wrapper air and moisture proof, better to keep the cigarettes, and it also stifens the paper making the same more suitable to act as the stem of matches.

The wrapper as best seen in Fig. 8 is an elongated strip 5 slightly greater in length than the circumference or" a package of cigarettes and with its main portion of a width equal to the height of a package of cigarettes. Extending transversely of the strip are four score lines 6 dividing the strip 5 into two large areas 'l forming the large sides, two small areas 8 forming the small sides, and an overlap ilap 9. This overlap preferably has ad- Extending longitudinally of the strip to form the bottom edge thereof is a score line lll. Hinged through the medium of the score line I to the overlap 9 is a flap il of the saine width. Similarly attached to each of the small areas 8 is a flap l2, while attached to one of the areas l is a flap i 3 terminating in a tapering tongue lll defined by the score line It. For a purpose which `will later become apparent, the flaps Il and l2 are of a length equal to one-half the combined length of the nap I3 and tongue I4. The remaining one of the large areas l has no flap and all of the flaps are severed from one another to permit their being folded inwardly to form the bottomend. Flap I3 is here shown carrying a striking surface I5 though of course that could be mounted on any other one of the areas.

Along the opposite side edge the strip 5 is formed with a plurality of matches I'I, the stems I8 of which are formed out of the paper composing the strip, so as to lie in the plane of the wrapper. The heads formed in conventional manner. In order that the matches may be readily torn from 'the wrapper when desired, yet remain in position at other times, the strip is perforated along a line 20 at the base of the matches and the matches are severed from one another save for a small portion ISI near the top thereof. This unsevered portion '.ZI forms a continuous band, as clearly seen in Fig. 3, and retains the matches against accidental bending out of the plane of the Wrapper. While, of course, the overlap may be varied to any desired extent, it is here made approximately two matches in width. In order not to have a bulge, matches II are formed on only one of the overlapping areas. To that end two matches are here eliminated from the area 8.

It is a feature of this invention that the Wrapper herein disclosed may be manufactured economically with a saving gained, rst, from a simple method of manufacture and, secondly, from a manufacture which is substantially without waste of material. Preferably this invention contemplates that the wrappers are to be formed as a continuous strip which is later severed into individual wrappers of desired shape and size. Thus a continuous strip of paper stock of the desired weight could be run through a rst set of dies, which would score the stock along the score lines described, and which would also perforate the stock along the line 20 and out the stock to form the match stems I 8 and the uncoated heads of the matches. From this set of dies the strip could be run through suitable apparatus, wherein the tips of the matches would be dipped to form the heads thereof. During one of these steps, adhesive could be applied to the overlap flap 9 and the striking surface I5 could be applied to the flap I3. dies would cut the strip along all of the solid lines shown in the development of Fig. 3, thereby severing the individual wrappers. It is believed readily apparent that this process could be readily and expeditiously carried out.

Furthermore, even though the wrapper is of irregular shape, due to the naps I I, I2 and I3, the wrappers can be formed from a single continuous strip with substantially no loss of material. This could be accomplished, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, by having the original strip of paper stock of a width equal to twice the width of the major portion of each wrapper plus the width of the flap I3 and tongue Iii. Inasmuch as the flap I3 and tongue I-I are attached to one only of the areas i, the alternate areas I would normally be free and the material disposed below it wasted. However, when two rows of wrappers are formed from one and the same continuous strip of paper stock, the stock opposite alternate areas I may be empioyed to form the iap i3 and tongue I4 oi' the opposite row of wrappers. In this way, only the very small triangular areas 22 are wasted. This amount is so small as to be substantially negligible, and further serves the purpose of making the tongue tapering so as to facilitate insertion.

A match strip wrapper constructed as above In the nal step, suitable I9 of the matches are described could be employed either directly by 75 the cigarette manufacturer to form the primary wrapping for a package of cigarettes, or could be employed as a secondary wrapping or case into which a conventionally wrapped package of cigarettes could be inserted by the retailer. When the wrapper is used by the cigarette manufacturer directly as the primary wrapping for a package of cigarettes, there is added thereto an auxiliary strip 23 of the conventional foil-lined paper used in the making of cigarette packages. This auxiliary strip is substantially wider than the length of the matches I'I so that it may be applied to the wrapper with a considerable overlap 2li beneath the base of the matches I1 and still project beyond the heads of the matches a sufficient distance that the strip may be folded inwardly to close the package in the conventional manner illustrated in Fig. l. The strip is preferably secured in an air-tight manner, as by gluing, and may be applied as a continuous strip just before the nal severing operation, or might be applied to the individual wrappers after they have been cut from the continuous strip of paper stock. It is to be understood that the strip 23 is applied to that side of the wrapper which eventually will be the interior of the package.

With the strip 23 applied, the wrapper is bent along its score lines and the area 8 secured to the overlap flap 9, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The flaps iI and I2 are then folded inwardly and the ap i3 also folded inwardly, to overlie the flaps II and I2 with the tongue I4 inserted between the flaps I2 and the adjacent side '1. The other end of the package is closed, as above stated, by folding the strip 23 to form an end closure, the same as is now conventionally employed. An outer protective wrapping of Cellophane or the like may now be applied over the entire package as is the present practice.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing'that the cigarettes are now put up in a package which is conventional as to size and shape. It has, however, the advantage that supplied directly with and forming an inherent part of each package are matches II in sufficient quantity to provide a light for all of the cigarettes contained in the package. The package may be opened in the conventional manner, as by tearing away a portion of the strip 23, and this may be done Without destruction of any of the matches I1. As the matches are to be used, they are simply torn one by one from the periphery of the package, but removal of one or more matches will not expose the cigarettes since the strip 23 extends downwardly below the base of the matches. Moreover, the matches are not apt to become bent outwardly and thus interfere with the removal of the package of cigarettes from the pocket, but are retained in the plane of the wrapper by the unsevered portions ZI. Moreover, the matches do not add to the thickness of the package, nor do they cause the package to bulge at any particular point, which is undesirable from the standpoint of packing the packages in cartons. The wrapper here disclosed has still other advantages, among which is the added stiffness given to the package, which thus tends to resist attening of the package with resultant crushing of the cigarettes. The wrapper has the further advantage that, instead of opening the package at the end adjacent the matches, this end could be left sealed and access had through the opposite end of the package by withdrawal of the tongue I4. In this manner, the package could always be closed after a cigarette had been removed and thus would prevent drying of the cigarettes and Would'also prevent the tobacco from being scattered in the users pocket.

When the wrapper is to be employed as a secondary wrapping or case, it is made up, as above described, but without the auxiliary strip 23. In this form it would be utilized by retailers Who would insert the package of cigarettes sold into the case thus formed by the Wrapper. The areas 7 could be used to carry advertising for any product sold by the retailer in the same manner that book matches now carry advertising. Inasmuch as it is customary for the retailer to distribute these book matches with each package of cigarettes sold, so too this match strip wrapper Would be distributed with each package of cigarettes sold. As pointed out above, this would have many advantages in that the matches would be permanently associated with the package of cigarettes and thus more convenient of location and use, while the areas 'I would be so large as to be capable of carrying a large amount of advertising.

In Fig. 4 there is shown a modiiied form of the invention. This wrapper is identical with the form of wrapper shown in Figs. l to 3, save that it carries no flaps II, I2 and I3 to form a closure for one end of the package of cigarettes. While it could be employed as a primary wrapping by the use of a second auxiliary strip, such as the strip 23, it is primarily intended to be used only as a secondary Wrapping about a conventional package of cigarettes. Since this wrapper would not have a i'lap I3, the striking surface I 5' could be carried on one of the sides 'l'. Preferably the wrapper would be so formed as to receive the package 25 frictionally within it and the wrapper would be retained on the package by friction. However, as a precaution, the wrapper might be provided with several glue spots 26 which could be moistened just prior to insertion of the package of cigarettes and which would then aid in retaining the wrapper on the package. For convenience in understanding the wrapper of Fig. 4, elements corresponding to the elements shown in Figs. 1 to 3 have been identilied by the same reference character plus a prime.

It is to be understood that the score lines 6 and ID are not necessarily essential. They have lbeen shown herein for possible use with extremely heavy paper stock, but are primarily shown to indicate area or side bounding or dening lines for a more ready understanding of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A wrapper for a package of cigarettes or the like comprising an elongated strip having a length slightly greater than the circumference of the package and a width substantially equal to the height of the package, a plurality of matches formed along one longitudinal edge of the strip, and flaps secured to the longitudinal edge of the strip opposite the matches to pro- Vide a. closure for one end of the package.

2. A Wrapper for a package of cigarettes or the like comprising an elongated main strip having a length slightly greater than the circumference of the package to provide the two large sides of the package, the two narrow sides of the package, and an overlap flap, said main strip having a width substantially equal to the height of the package, a plurality of matches formed along one longitudinal edge of the strip, the stems of said matches constituting integral parts of said strip, aps secured to each of said small sides and said overlap along the longitudinal edge of said strip opposite said matches, and a flap secured to one only of said large sides and terminating in a tongue adapted to be inserted between said rst mentioned aps and the remaining large side when the flaps are bent inwardly to form a closure for one end of the package.

3. A wrapper for a package of cigarettes or the like comprising an elongated main strip having a length slightly greater than the circumference or" the package and a width substantially equal to the height of the package, a plurality of matches formed along one longitudinal edge of the strip, flaps secured to the longitudinal edge of the strip opposite the matches to provide a closure for one end of the package, and an auxiliary strip secured to said main strip inwardly of the matches and extending outwardly beyond the matches to form a closure for the other end of the package.

4. A receptacle comprising an elongated main strip of paper stock overlapped and secured at its ends to become a continuous strip forming the sides of the receptacle and having formed integrally therewith along one longitudinal edge one or more matches, an auxiliary strip secured to said main strip inwardly of the matches and on the inner face of said main strip and extending outwardly beyond the matches to form when folded a closure for one end of the receptacle.

5. A receptacle comprising an elongated strip of paper stock overlapped and secured at its ends to become a continuous strip forming the sides of the receptacle with but a single seam and having formed integrally therewith along one longitudinal edge one or more matches, and main and auxiliary naps secured to the longitudinal edge opposite said matches providing when folded inwardly a closure for one end of the receptacle, said main flap including a tongue insertable between the side of the receptacle and the adjacent edge of the auxiliary aps.

HAROLD WARP. 

